The 36th Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Open
Championship will officially get underway today with the qualifying round of
matches.
Secretary General of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF)
Gloria Ekwempu informed that over 200 players will feature in the 14.5million
prize-money event.
There will be three qualifying rounds for the men while the
women will slug it out in two qualifiers before berthing into the main draw
which will guarantee them a part of the prize-money.
Also, over 70 players registered for the Wheelchair Tennis,
which is in its 2nd year following its incorporation to the
championship in 2013. The wheel chair tennis will serve as tune up for
Nigeria’s team to the forthcoming World Team Cup billed for the Netherlands
later this month.
Meanwhile 2010 semi-finalist Colins Abamu has vowed to upset
the formbook by emerging the champions in the 10-day event.
Abamu took a four year break from the game in pursuit of
higher education and after graduating from Yaba College of Technology, the 23
year old believes he is now a better player and is primed for the top prize.
“I’m in a much better shape than I was the last time I
played the CBN. I know it’s getting tougher to win this competition which
remains a dream for all Nigerian players but I remain confidence that I can be
the champion this year. There is no pressure on me I just want to have fun and
I know that could do the magic,” stated the big-serving player, who lost 6-4,
3-6, 6-4 to Shehu Lawal in a gruelling semi-final clash in 2010.
The winners of the men and women’s singles will pocket N700,
000 each while finalists in both categories will get N500, 000.
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